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Tiffen 77SFX2 77mm Soft/FX 2 Diffusion Filter — main product image
Tiffen

Tiffen 77SFX2 77mm Soft/FX 2 Diffusion Filter

★★★★★4.3 (21 reviews)

Tiffen 77mm Soft/FX 2 filter flatters portraits by softening skin imperfections while keeping eyes tack-sharp.

$119.99*$125.00Save 4%
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Tiffen 77mm Soft/FX 2 is a purpose-built diffusion filter that uses a pattern of tiny lenslets to gently scatter light passing through the lens. This scattering selectively softens fine details — wrinkles, pores, and minor blemishes — while preserving contrast and sharpness in high-contrast areas like the eyes, lips, and hair. The result is an in-camera portrait enhancement that looks natural and refined, without the artificial smoothness of heavy post-processing. At density 2, the effect is moderate: clearly visible in the final image, yet controlled enough that subjects still look realistic and three-dimensional.

Built with Tiffen's proprietary ColorCore technology, the diffusion pattern is sandwiched between two layers of optical glass, protecting it from scratches, moisture, and cleaning damage. The high-quality metal mounting ring threads smoothly onto 77mm lenses and resists cross-threading, a common annoyance with cheaper aluminum rings. Whether used for editorial portraiture, wedding photography, or narrative video, the Soft/FX 2 provides a consistent, repeatable look that reduces retouching time and adds a polished, cinematic quality to skin tones straight out of the camera.

Key Features

The Ideal portrait filter.

Softens unwanted details.

Keeps eyes sharp and sparkling.

High quality metal mounting ring.

Specifications

Filter Size
77mm
Filter Type
Soft/FX (Diffusion)
Density
2
Construction
ColorCore (laminated between two pieces of optical glass)
Mounting Ring
Metal
Model
77SFX2

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Softens wrinkles and skin blemishes without losing sharpness on eyes and key focal points.
  • ColorCore laminated construction protects the diffusion layer and ensures long-term durability.
  • Metal mounting ring provides a secure, cross-thread-resistant fit on 77mm lenses.
  • Moderate density 2 effect is versatile enough for both subtle and noticeable softening.
  • Produces flattering results in-camera, reducing the need for skin retouching in post-production.

👎 Cons

  • Only available in 77mm, requiring step-up rings for lenses with smaller filter threads.
  • The effect is baked into the image and cannot be adjusted or removed in post-processing.
  • Density 2 may be too strong for close-up headshots where only minimal softening is desired.
  • Adds another glass element to the optical path, which can slightly affect autofocus speed in low light.
  • Single fixed density means you may need additional Soft/FX filters for lighter or heavier effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

The density 2 rating provides a moderate diffusion effect — noticeable enough to smooth skin and soften fine details, but not so heavy that the image appears blurry or overly dreamy. It is a popular middle-ground choice for portrait work.
The Soft/FX 2 is designed to minimize contrast loss and flare. Its lenslet pattern diffuses fine details without significantly degrading overall image contrast, unlike heavier fog or mist filters.
Yes, the Soft/FX 2 is widely used in both video and still photography. It provides a consistent, flattering look across frames, making it popular for interviews, wedding videos, and narrative filmmaking.
It threads onto any lens with a 77mm front filter thread. You can also use step-up rings to mount it on lenses with smaller thread sizes.
ColorCore technology laminates the diffusion effect between two layers of optical glass, protecting it from scratching and environmental damage while ensuring even, consistent diffusion across the entire surface.

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